Is Hollywood Abandoning Adult Audiences? European Cinema Steps Up as the Oscars Take Notice
The European Film Awards (EFAs) have long positioned themselves as Europe’s cinematic counterpoint to the Oscars, though their impact on box office success has historically been minimal. But as Hollywood increasingly prioritizes franchise sequels over thought-provoking dramas, the EFAs are seizing the moment to become a leading voice for mature, intellectually engaging cinema. And this is the part most people miss: while American studios chase blockbuster profits, European filmmakers are filling the void left by Hollywood’s shift away from adult-oriented storytelling.
This year, the European Film Academy has strategically moved its annual celebration from December to the heart of the U.S. awards season, nestled between the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. This bold move underscores Europe’s ambition to compete on the global stage. But here’s where it gets controversial: Scott Roxborough, European bureau chief for the Hollywood Reporter, bluntly states, “Hollywood has stopped making movies for adults, with a few exceptions. That leaves room for the Europeans, who only make films for adults.” Is this a fair assessment, or is Roxborough overlooking Hollywood’s occasional forays into serious drama? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Taking place this Saturday at Berlin’s House of World Cultures, the 38th edition of the EFAs could be a night of triumph for Norwegian director Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value. Nominated in five categories, including Best European Film, this poignant family drama has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prix at Cannes and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for Stellan Skarsgård. It’s also a strong contender for the Oscars in March. Roxborough notes, “It’s the kind of serious dramatic film that Hollywood is generating fewer and fewer of.”
Since the Oscars expanded their Best Picture nominees from five to ten in 2009, non-English-language films have gained more visibility. Recent years have seen nominations for Ruben Östlund’s Triangle of Sadness, Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall, Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, and Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez. But is this enough to challenge Hollywood’s dominance?
At the EFAs, Trier’s film faces stiff competition from Óliver Laxe’s Sirāt, a gripping thriller with four nominations, and Mascha Schilinski’s The Sound of Falling and Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident, each nominated in three categories. Saturday’s ceremony, curated by Irish documentary-maker Mark Cousins as a “live film essay,” is part of a broader effort to elevate the awards’ prestige. Distributors have even held special screenings to rally votes, and Roxborough notes that European marketers are increasingly aligning their campaigns with the EFAs.
“European cinema has gone on the front foot and repositioned itself to take on Hollywood,” says British producer Mike Downey, outgoing chair of the European Film Academy. “Our major overhaul and rebranding radically boosts our profile and European cinema’s importance in the international awards season.”
While the EFAs champion art-house cinema, Hollywood blockbusters still dominate the European box office in 2025. Yet, there’s reason for optimism. German films, for instance, have seen a resurgence, with the Süddeutsche Zeitung declaring, “This year has given us irrefutable proof that German film shouldn’t make itself smaller than it is.” French films also recorded a 6% rise in international markets in 2025.
And this is the part most people miss: despite the rise of streaming, European and U.S. cinema are neck and neck at the box office, with $8.4 billion and $8.5 billion in admissions respectively in 2024. “Europe is holding its own—not just in the culture wars, but at the box office,” says Downey. “So, there’s everything to play for.”
What do you think? Is Hollywood truly abandoning adult audiences, or is there still room for serious drama in the U.S. film industry? And can European cinema truly challenge Hollywood’s global dominance? Share your thoughts below!
